PRCC program prepares students for TV, film careers

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POPLARVILLE - Ryan Myhand of Lucedale spent two years studying film production at Pearl River Community College, a decision that put him well ahead of fellow students at the University of New Orleans.As a student in the PRCC Television and Film Production class, Myhand learned the basics of film production.PRCC taught me a lot about filmmaking and really prepared me, Myhand said. When I got to UNO last year, I already knew a lot of the stuff because of what we learned at PRCC.Myhand experience at PRCC has helped him land work as an extra on 13 feature films.Right now Im working on 21 Jump Street as a stand-in for Jonah Hill, the actor, he said. Ive been doing that since the first day of production.Applications are currently being accepted for the PRCC Television and Film Production class, which takes students from script writing to post-production, said instructor Ronn Hague, PRCC digital media coordinator.They can learn every aspect of production work, Hague said. Theyll learn to light a set, to decorate a set. They learn to set up a camera, to operate the camera, to run audio. They are also instructed in non-linear editing programs and compositing programs.They are also taught about pre-production, which is everything that takes place before a film is actually shot.Television and film students work on their own productions and also serve as interns for Healthy People Now!, which produces 12 health-related videos per year for use in the public schools of Pearl River and Hancock counties.When they leave here after two years, they have a resume or portfolio with 24 listings, some of which will be included in the Internet Movie Database (imdb.com), Hague said. They can expect to walk away with enough credits to find employment as a basic level crew member, but we encourage them to go on to a four-year college or university that offers a film program.Funded by a grant from the Lower Pearl River Valley Foundation, Healthy People Now! also attracts novice and experienced actors, some of whom have worked on Disney and Nickelodeon productions, from throughout South Mississippi and the region.Healthy People Now! provides hands-on instruction for the PRCC students.You learn a lot, said Eric Scarabin of Poplarville. You learn almost everything you need to know before you go to a full-fledged film school.Scarabin transferred to Full Sail University in Winter Park, Fla., in May to study digital cinematography after three semesters in the PRCC program. He is the first in his class to complete a 10-minute short film.I got 100 on it, he said. Everything that Im learning now, I already learned there with Mr. Ronn.There are no pre-requisites for the PRCC program but Hague recommends students take creative writing, drama and film-as-literature courses while enrolled in television and film. Students earn one non-transferrable credit hour per semester.The experience and the knowledge that they gain from the class will go on with them to film school, Hague said.For more information or to apply for the program, contact Hague at 601-403-1316 or at <a href="mailto:rhague@prcc.edu">rhague@prcc.edu</a> or go to the PRCC website at <a href="../film">www.prcc.edu/film</a>.